why is there no tibetan buddhist center/temple in morgantown wv, it home to the state university. i am sure i am not the only buddhist here, please ssend a ACI teacher here, i am studying ACI internet study and could use a teacher. any answers.

There's no need to despair. You have opportunities to practice and a desire to do it. What are you waiting for?

***EDIT: I know the OP put this in the Gelugpa sub-forum, and I didn't list a single Gelugpa center or teacher in this post. I regret the omission: it was made out of ignorance of Gelug centers near the OP's hometown.**

Need help getting on retreat? Want to support others in practice? Pay the Dana for Dharma forum a visit...

I recently moved to Morgantown and would participate in a study group if one was created. I belonged to a small group in Carrboro, NC and it was quite good. Please post again if you need help in organizing a group.

kerby wrote:I would love to see new Gelug Centers and study groups across America.That would be great ! I know FPMT starts their centers out as study groups first before becoming a center.

Right now I am driving 5 hours round trip to go to the center in Raleigh,NC. And they have started an additional study group for people on one side of Raleigh to meet.I would certainly one day like to start a study group in my city. From what I understand it is important for one to make a connection or contact with LZR first before asking to start a study group. From there, after a probationaryperiod and some assessment, it is possible to develop into a center.Shaun

I go to Tse Chen Ling in San Francisco. We used to have Venerable Robina here and a few others who practice in Raleigh, now. Sorry to hear about your commute. Just think of all of the great karma you're creating for your efforts and maybe someday you can start a study group that will blossom into a center. That would be wonderful.

In the land encircled by snow mountainsYou are the source of all happiness and good;All powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,Please remain until samsara ends.

kerby wrote:I go to Tse Chen Ling in San Francisco. We used to have Venerable Robina here and a few others who practice in Raleigh, now. Sorry to hear about your commute. Just think of all of the great karma you're creating for your efforts and maybe someday you can start a study group that will blossom into a center. That would be wonderful.

Thanks, friend for your kind and encouraging words. Yes, the center in Raleigh is especially blessed, has a wonderful community of practitioners, programs, and Sangha. There is much merit being accumulated. I am still relatively new to the center, but I have been strongly drawn to the organization from the beginning. It is unfortunate that in Charlotte, the larger and more cosmopolitan urban center in relative terms, doesn't have more to offer. Here, the tradition not-to-be-named seem to be the only local option in terms of Mahayana/Vajrayana practice. So, I really don't mind the drive and in addition to that I am able to continue my studies in the tradition online. Were Geshe Gelek, Geshe Sangpo, Ven. Lhamo, or Ven. Tendron once affiliated with Tse Chen Ling?

No. But on the FPMT website you can study many things on-line. We always record our meetings at Tse Chen Ling and put them on the site. Lama Yeshe founded FPMT with encouragement from His Holiness the Dalai Lama after his passing Lama Zopa has continued with this.

I know what you mean about Charlotte and I would be doing the drive to Raleigh, as well for the same reasons. With Raleigh's large population FPMT could easily get a study group started there. I bet there are others who practice in Raleigh who make the drive, also. The Kadampa Center would have info on residents who practice from that area that maybe they would share with you if you ever do want to start a study group in Charlotte.

All of the best to you.Shane

In the land encircled by snow mountainsYou are the source of all happiness and good;All powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,Please remain until samsara ends.

kerby wrote:No. But on the FPMT website you can study many things on-line. We always record our meetings at Tse Chen Ling and put them on the site. Lama Yeshe founded FPMT with encouragement from His Holiness the Dalai Lama after his passing Lama Zopa has continued with this.

I know what you mean about Charlotte and I would be doing the drive to Raleigh, as well for the same reasons. With Raleigh's large population FPMT could easily get a study group started there. I bet there are others who practice in Raleigh who make the drive, also. The Kadampa Center would have info on residents who practice from that area that maybe they would share with you if you ever do want to start a study group in Charlotte.

All of the best to you.Shane

I have been a FPMT online student now for several months and I am a member of the Kadampa center in Raleigh. They also have an additional study group on the outskirts of Raleigh of Kadampa center members. One day it would be great if we could get a group in Charlotte. I met some who make a similar drive and one of the elder member from Kadampa center recently moved here. So, keeping my fingers crossed.Thanks, Shaun

Abandoning Dharma is, in the final analysis, disparaging the Hinayana because of the Mahayana; favoring the Hinayana on account of the Mahayana; playing off sutra against tantra; playing off the four classes of the tantras against each other; favoring one of the Tibetan schools—the Sakya, Gelug, Kagyu, or Nyingma—and disparaging the rest; and so on. In other words, we abandon Dharma any time we favor our own tenets and disparage the rest.

I agree the FPMT has a wonderful program. You can practice on-line if there are no centers near you. They have spiritual advisors who can help you with any information you might need. http://www.fpmt.org/

In the land encircled by snow mountainsYou are the source of all happiness and good;All powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,Please remain until samsara ends.